by Simon Samano, USA TODAY Sports

by Simon Samano, USA TODAY Sports

After the Washington Redskins announced late Saturday via Twitter that fellow rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins would get the nod over injured starter Robert Griffin III for Sunday's tilt in Cleveland, multiple outlets Sunday morning reported that the NFL's co-leading passer will be inactive for the game.

According to reports by NFL.com and ESPN, Griffin will not dress Sunday, leaving veteran Rex Grossman as the only other available quarterback behind Cousins.

Griffin, who suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in last week's win against the Ravens, addressed the team's decision with a tweet of his own shortly after the announcement.

"The decision was not my own... But I will be there for my team!!! In every way I possibly can," Griffin tweeted.

Griffin officially had been listed as questionable after practicing all week. Coach Mike Shanahan, in a show of gamesmanship, was coy all week about who would start against the Browns, even though signs seemed to point toward Griffin.

USA TODAY Sports' Jim Corbett noted Friday that Griffin "seemed to have an extra bounce in his step as he skip-hopped to practice, showing good burst and no hitch on a rollout pass during the portion of practice open to reporters."

So this news comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering the position in which Washington finds itself.

Now the Redskins will rely on Cousins, who closed out a dramatic win last week over the Ravens, to keep pace in the NFC playoff race.

Heading into Sunday, Washington, at 7-6, is one game behind the New York Giants in the NFC East and one game behind the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears for the final wild card spot.